The origin of the word analysis comes from Greek words ana (up) and luein (to loosen), forming the word “analuein” meaning unloose. It was later changed to analusis, then eventually analysis around the 16th century.
What does analysis mean? It is a process of understanding the complexity of a particular study, system or anything that needs an examination or inspection. Analysis is commonly used to understand difficult substance or elements and fields such as science, math, research, history, economics, foreign policy, statistics, etc. Through analysis, you can answer questions like “what are the components of this material?”, “what is this thing made of?”, “why was this made?”, “why does it change from time to time?”, and all questions related to the topic which raises the researcher’s critical thinking.
To do analysis, one must undergo the following:
1. Know the overall idea or concept.
2. Know what causes the idea.
3. Know the relationship between the causes or elements of the idea.
4. Ask for elements and evaluate the given evidence. Research and test the quality of the evidence and how it supports the idea.
5. Look for alternatives or different interpretations to support the data.
6. Know the importance or the influence of the idea.
To master analysis itself, it is usually connected to the different fields as mentioned above. For example: “Analysis is considered as a branch in mathematics in which it studies complex concepts like measure, functions, changes, etc.”
Analysis may also refer to the following concepts.
Data refers to collected information obtained from survey or statistics.
Data analysis is understanding which data is needed and not needed while also studying the different parts or complexity of the data. Data analysis is used to find faults in the given information or research. Data analysis doesn’t stop there. For a successful data analysis, it will have to through a process of collecting data from different sources and regrouping or processing the said data by creating a plan. Data analysis can also be used in different fields like social studies, research methodology, etc.
Analysis is considered as a branch of mathematics that studies the constant adjustment in measure. It also studies the understanding of ongoing mathematical computations (i.e. assumptions in the infinite series, integration, and analytic faction). Analysis, as a branch of mathematics is divided into two parts (real analysis and complex analysis).
Based on its name, real analysis is more of a real data, in which raw data is gathered based on the sequence, and the series of changes and its limits. It also deals with real numbers which is commonly used to identify the parts of a calculus. While complex analysis is more on the complex side, it still tries to understand the numbers but now incorporates manipulation or data collected from a different source. It is commonly used to compute the complexity and properties of integrals.
Basically, real and complex analysis are closely similar as real analysis deals with reality while complex analysis deals with reality as well as imagination (non-existent things).
Comparative analysis is usually used in thesis projects and fields such as forensics or criminology. All of our thesis works are hard-earned efforts from endless researches and sleepless nights, and throughout the research and data analysis, we all come to a conclusion to compare the gathered facts and research. By doing so, we identify which is unnecessary, off-topic and what items need to be omitted or removed. That is a sample on how you conduct a comparative analysis. Comparative analysis can also be identifying the difference of two data sets (for example, data A and data B), and connecting the said data sets.
When it comes to criminology, comparative analysis identifies the grouping of each data and further helps analysis of the investigation. This is the part where you compare and contrast– identifying the data that should be a supporting fact, or identifying discrepancies in an interrogation. In forensic studies, comparative analysis is used as a technique to identify the connection of data A and data B and eventually coming up with a result after analyzing all the possible scenarios. Comparative analysis also identifies the transition of each event or possibility of that event occurring.
You may also want to see the Comparative Market Analysis and Elements of Comparative Market Analysis.
See the following to further understand market analysis:
There are different aspects and fields that uses and applies the process of analysis. Data analysis, mathematical analysis, comparative analysis and market analysis are just few of the most common fields where analysis is used.
Analysis doesn’t have to be complicated, it can be merely like assembling a puzzle. When forming a puzzle, one must identify which parts belong to which corners or sections, and what connects puzzle A to puzzle B, and what connects puzzle B to puzzle C. To understand the complex side of a puzzle, one must understand the elements in which the puzzle is composed of (in this case, the elements of the puzzle would refer to to its size, shape, color, texture, form, etc). Analysis is basically studying and understanding the puzzle, and how to solve it.